just to be clear . . . the advantage of having the first move in either battleboats or Dark Battleboats seems about equal. Even if such a claim were true the simple solution would be as suggested . . . playing more than a single game with reversed colors. I am near the top of the Dark Battleboats ladder and I play multiple game matchs almost exclusively (unless an opponent of approximate equal rating level requests differently). Also, I fail to see how a simultaneous move would help in BB or Dark . . . the advantages in BB+ are obvious though.

mctrivia: it wasn't rhetorical. why would these people send invites with no messages?

mctrivia: I knew that. I've challenged top players at other games . . . and I explain in the invitation that I'm challenging them for that reason. To send an invitation with no message is a little odd (if not rude).

why am all of the sudden getting invites from complete strangers to dark battleboats? They aren't saying much either to explain . . .

mctrivia: we should suggest such a variant to Fencer and then we would be able to test this theory. I think it will give black an advantage but I'm not that good at this game (rofl). We'll just have to see . . . btw, I play mostly matches to avoid the "luck" of the game and let skill come into play.

jurek: since these games have alot to do with luck you cannot conclusively say that one side has any significant advantage. (no matter what the numbers say). However, making a variant that works this way isn't a bad idea at all. Just don't change existing rules based upon mild observations. Just a thought, but, won't your idea of giving Black three extra shots give him the advantage?

mctrivia: all very interesting thoughts!

mctrivia: aren't the engines in the middle?

mctrivia: I think it would be interesting if the could turn if they were hit once (but then when they were hit twice they were immobile).

mctrivia: I could see where these options would add a new element of strategy . . . you could in theory box in a ship and then try to hit it so that it couldn't get away. What happens to a ship that is hit? does the hit square move with it or is it then stationary?

BIG BAD WOLF: thanks for the update. I don't know about anyone else but it was really worrying me.

blue duke: the same thing happened to me yesterday at home. However, at my college no such thing has happened. Perhaps it is a setting issue? I'd like this looked at myself.

rod03801: you're correct. those one shot every third square staggered systems wouldn't work so well if the ships are put diagonally.

BIG BAD WOLF: what about a variant where the boats can be placed diagonally?

last posting back in May! this board needs some discussion . . . what's the highest rating ever achieved for this game, anyone know?